Thank you to Daniela for sending this request in, as I know many members of the Bitchery will be both interested in this one and have some great recommendations:
Sarah: Lorelei James’ Rough Riders series has some of these dynamics, specifically book 5, Rough, Raw, and Ready. ( A | BN | K | G | AB )I was hoping you could help me in my quest to find a solid novel (or ten) featuring thruples (m,m,f). I recently read Heart and Hand by Rebel Carter and was really taken by the idea of exploring the dynamics of three people in a relationship. I really liked Heart and Hand but was bummed that it didn’t do enough, in my opinion, to explore the relationship between the two guys. We were told over and over again they loved each other but we never SAW it…anyway, my point is: I’m looking for an M,M,F romance that meets the following criteria: a) it is not solely centered around sexy times (although explicit sex is more than ok) and does a good job at exploring the other aspects of the relationship between the characters, b) does not involve the men being brothers, c) the love/attraction between the men is explored.
Maybe I’m looking for a unicorn but I figured if anyone would know of a good rec for this very specific request it would be one of you. Thanks in advance!
One of the male characters, Edgard, was part of an earlier book so he’s a background character, and then is a lead in this one. It is erotic romance, though, so there is a LOT of sexytimes.
Amanda: Melt into You by Roni Loren ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) might work. The men in the relationship are friends and do have a connection, both emotionally and physically, though I will warn the pacing is more skewed to the M/F pairing with M/M and throuple development not happening until the second half of the book.
I think one or two books in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha would qualify.
Sneezy: Amanda, you’re right, Beyond Jealousy fits the bill perfectly.
If the person asking wouldn’t mind a mmff, Beyond Ruin ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) is also great. Every way you link that square is a romantic relationship, and they’re all explored.
Although, I have to say the Beyond series doesn’t lend itself to standalone reading. Besides world building, a lot of character development happens throughout the series.
Charlotte B: The Beyond books jumped immediately to mind for me too. I really love how the individual relationships between the characters are developed within the context of the larger group relationship. You believe in each love story and in the group love story.
Sneezy: The only other ménage book I can think of off the top of my head right now is the Venus series by Golden Angel ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) , but there’s no romantic connection between the two men.
However, it does delve into some of the trials and tribulations poly people face about their relationships in current society, if that’s interesting to the requester.
Ellen: I haven’t personally read this book so take this rec with a grain of salt but based on description/reviews A Rational Arrangement by L. Rowyn ( A | BN | K | AB ) might be what the reader is looking for?
Shana: I haven’t finished Three-Way Split by Elia Winters, but so far it seems to be pretty equally focused on relationship building between the two men (who are in a casual sex relationship at the beginning of the book), and one of the M/F relationships (who start out with crushes on each other). It’s an erotic romance tho so lots of sexy times.
What romances would you suggest?
I second R.A. Steffan’s novels.
Behind These Doors by Jude Lucens—historical where the main couple is m/m, both of them had previously been in long-standing relationships with married couples before they get together (one of them only has a romantic relationship with the married man of that couple, but the wife approves; the other man has a relationship with both members of his married couple), so it’s all of them trying to navigate these two single men falling in love while wanting to maintain their older relationships.
Carver by Tory Palmer—paranormal with a vampire m/werewolf m/wizard f.
The Boss series by Abigail Barnette has a really nice MMF romance, however it starts off with just a MF romance and their third partner make an appearance in the second book, and it takes a while for them to fully develop into a full-blown relationship. The books do tackle some of the issues with having a MMF relationship and telling people about it, especially with children being involved, but I think its sweet and you can see the relationship between the two male characters (which is was Daniela originally asked for).
(this series also has some heavy BDSM, a large age-gap between two of the characters and deals with some heavy topics throughout the books though, so do be wary about reading if those things can put you off).
Another Lauren Dane I didn’t see mentioned above: “Coming Back,” #3 in her Ink & Chrome series (don’t need to read previous books, though I did enjoy them, and one of the men in the relationship, Mick, is close friends/works with the male protagonists from the 2 previous books). Definitely a relationship among all 3, and explores the dynamics of a throuple, as well as each tackling personal issues in a way that seems to be a Lauren Dane trademark.
Oooooh, more on the erotica side but very conscious of the MM couple’s emotion and they tempt the woman back into their relationship, very sexy: Charlotte Stein’s “Make Me.”
Full Mountie in the Frisky Beavers series by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Halley is a throuple with backstory between the men. The rest of the series, while not throuples, is also excellent.
Has anyone read M.Q. Barber’s “Neighborly Affection” series? “Playing the Game” is M/M/F and book 1, and “Becoming His Master” (book 4) is apparently a prequel that explores the men’s relationship before the woman came into their lives. I haven’t read them so I can’t say if it fits the requester’s criteria or not, but I just remember them as notable to me because they were obviously a throuple series that was readily on the shelf in Books A Million.
Seconding Beyond Jealousy by Kit Rocha. Also, Joey W. Hill has a set of 4 novellas (Naughty Wishes, I think) that might fit.
By far my favorite MMF novels are Sierra Simone’s New Camelot trilogy. They have to be read in order and the first two books end on cliffhangers. But all three are out so you can inhale them back to back. It’s the relationship between the president, vice president, and the first lady. And it’s a King Arthur retelling! The way Sierra crafted the series blew me away. Misadventures of a Curvy Girl by Sierra is also great, if you’re not up for a series.
After that, I’d point you to books 1 and 3 in Elia Winters’s Comes In Three series, one of which was linked to in the post. (Although the second book is very much worth reading; it just isn’t MMF.) They’re less angsty than the New Camelot books, if you’re looking for a change of pace. Winters does a great job exploring polyamory and I believe she’s polyamorous herself.
Katrina Jackson’s Pink Slip is a super steamy, fun read about a spy couple and their assistant. I also really enjoyed Get Off Easy by Sara Brookes. If you want to try erotic historical, you need Nicola Davidson’s My Lord, Lady, and Gentleman.
I also loved My Lord, Lady & Gentleman by Nicola Davidson, which does delve into the relationship between the two m/m’s – loved this ménage! Do read the novella length series though, all interconnected stand alone, to get more of an emotional connection between characters.
The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz in a round about way, this series is undefinable. There’s a long standing m/m/f relationship between three characters, but not always at the same time, yet we always know their love for one another. The real sexy times start from book 2, however book 1 sets the scene and characters. Very Taboo. Elyse has reviewed this series.
And years ago, I used to read ménage from Lora Leigh, it’s been many years, I’ll have to revisit these!
I also loved My Lord, Lady & Gentleman by Nicola Davidson, historical erotica.
The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz, in a round about way: Nora, Soren, Kingsley… Elyse has reviewed this series.
Many years ago, I used to read ménage by Lora Leigh – it’s been a while, think I need to revisit.
The “Taken Hostage by Kinky Bankers” series by Annika Martin (aka Carolyn Crane) is a rollicking good series that has humor, action, and smexy times. MMMF
Thruples are my catnip. Sally beat me to “Full Mountie” by Ainsley Booth. All four books of Samantha Kane’s “Birmingham Rebels” series. Who’s Your Daddy?; Kneel, Mr. President; and The Best Laid Plans (this one especially) by Lauren Gallagher.
I read a series that was set in Australia, where the first was a thruple (and the second had a short-term thruple). Of course I can’t remember the author’s name now.
Joey W. Hill’s four-story BDSM novella series “Naughty Wishes” explores a MMF dynamic that evolves from close friendship to a full intimacy, with a nice exploration of the MM relationship. Red Garnier’s steamy “The Satin Sash” introduces a second male into an established MF relationship with the MM friendship and sexual dynamic nicely explored.
Rule of Three by Kelly Jamieson was very good. Starts out as a MF romance, old friend comes to town, then becomes a one-off MFM but then everybody catches feelings and ends up a full on MMF. Good romance and nicely hot sex scenes.
I hope Tara Lain’s Genetic Attraction series gets back in print soon! The first two books involve renowned researcher Em, her young geneticist assistant Jake (who, while closeted, secretly adores her too), and the male model Roan. (THE SCIENTIST AND THE SUPERMODEL is an m/m prequel, but I believe the m/m/f GENETIC ATTRACTION actually came out first.) My favorite installment is book 3, DECEPTIVE ATTRACTION, which involves Jake’s brother Cal, Em’s androgynous cousin Angel, and the uncommonly beautiful Elijah. It’s got some really thought-provoking meditations on gender fluidity, added gravitas to the plot, and some of the most intense and luscious sex I’ve ever read! Menages only work for me when the characters have an equal power dynamic, and this one just overflows with mutual desire and pleasure–it’s glorious! The fourth installment, GENETIC CELEBRITY, is another (slightly more lighthearted) age-gap romance involving Roan’s agent Booky, her assistant (and amateur chef) Tommy, who fall for the street youth Shay as they turn him into a model. (As I recall, Shay was inspired by Andreja Pejic, though the book was published before Pejic’s transition.) It has several food play scenes, too (which I usually dislike, but didn’t mind here).
Most of my favourites have already been mentioned but I’ll second them anyway:
Tiffany Reisz: The Original Sinners Books (there are 9 out so far in 3 sets of trilogies + short stories and Kingsley’s own novel). These books are the deep end of BDSM and flaunt taboos left and right but damn they’re so good if you’re into those things. These people are polyamorous and sleep with others too but there is always the core MMF pairing until… well, read and find out 😉 These books cover 20 years so the characters grow and change. I don’t know of any other romance series where we get to follow the same people for so long.
Roni Loren’s Melt Into You (lovely book and a Rita nominee so the quality is guaranteed. But of course tastes vary.)
Red Garnier: The Satin Sash (The men are friends at first and there is strong jealousy, a very realistic emotion, in my opinion (but it might not be for you)
This one hasn’t been mentioned so far, I think.
Katee Roberts: The Thalanian dynasty trilogy (Theirs For the Night, Forever Theirs, Theirs Ever After). Features the fresh king of a small European country, his male friend and lover and the American girl they fall for. I loved especially the MM relationship.
Was the site down for a while yesterday? Every time I tried to open SBTB, I got “Server not found” message. Anyway, all appears fine now and I have a couple more to add: Cara McKenna’s Shivaree trilogy (BACKWOODS, SHIVAREE, GETAWAY) is m/m/f, but has a major focus on the m/m pairing because one of the men has previously considered himself exclusively straight. The other book is Nicole Edwards’s HARD TO HOLD which, if I’m being honest, I haven’t read yet, but one of the cover models is my alternate universe boyfriend, Zack Salaun, and so it caught my eye. It part of Edwards’s Walkers of Coyote Ridge/Caine Cousins series and other books in the series might include m/m/f pairings, I’m not sure. Also, CW/TW, the heroine of HARD TO HOLD has left an abusive relationship.
It is often more than a Thruple, but a genre called Reverse Harem has offerings that might interest the OC & commenters.
“Reverse harems” are not the same as “thruples,” as they generally focus on the relationships between one woman and several men who do not have (romantic) relationships with each other. I’ve read a number of reverse harems, and they are generally more about sex and less about the complexities of relationships.
MMF (not MFM — which I believe is like a reverse harem, with no romance between the men) or “bisexual romance” is actually a category on Amazon (and presumably other places).
@Jen Brady & Ruth: I’d also be cautious about reverse harem because many of them are ickily reminiscent of 1970s gang rape porn—and the men are usually not sexually involved with each other. I know there’s always an exception that proves the rule (such as Annika Martin’s Kinky Bank Robbers series, which is emotional, sexy, and funny), but I think, for the most part, when a woman has more than two men in bed with her at the same time, she might be somewhat, ummm, oversubscribed.
Absolutely seconding/thirding/whatevering the Tiffany Reisz recs. The Original Sinners series does not always involve threesomes, but when it does…there’s a scene in “The Mistress” that I had to briefly stop reading because I was blushing so hard. In her newest (non-OS) book “The Rose”, there is a ridiculously hot threesome as well.
I liked Roni Loren’s “Melt Into You” just fine, but I ADORED her later “Nothing Between Us”. The back cover copy somehow manages not to mention that it’s heading towards a throuple relationship, and I did a fistpump and cheered when I realized what was happening.
“Cythera” by Jo Graham is a science-fiction erotic novel (think “Kushiel’s Dart” in space), and there are many many hot scenes that made me regret trying to read it for the first time in an airport lobby. One of them is an MMF threesome that happens in part to help a character through their Issues regarding sex, and it was done with kindness as well as sensuality.
The books “Polished” and “Swept” by Alyssa Turner. An established m/f couple meet another m, a Dom, they are both attracted to who helps them explore kink. Although Polished ends on an HEA, Swept continues their story. There is good heart, and some exploration of their stuggles to re-establish themselves as a thruple and gain acceptance from themselves and from family.
Best Laid Plans by Lauren Gallagher. I love this book because it includes a pregnancy surrogate for an established m/m couple.
Infamous Love and Complicated Love by Livia Grant. You don’t have to read both, or even read in order, although they involve the same thruple.
I just recently read Three for All by Elia Winters and can strongly recommend it as meeting all the requirements. 🙂 Plus great representation of People of Color without making it tokeny and weird.
I’ll note that Best Laid Plans also features an observant (although obviously not conservative) Muslim. Don’t see many of those!
@Jeannette mentioned this, but I will second! Samantha Kane’s Brothers in Arms are two males and a female. I love this series because the emotions feel very true and real. The bonds that men find in war, and the comfort they find after with a woman they both love. It is sexy, no doubt-but also very heartfelt, I will admit to crying over these books!
Walking Away by Xavier Neal (MFM) is definitely one you should read. She really goes into developing the different relationships among the three leading characters. It’s a great book.
A little late here, but I don’t think I’ve seen Bad Decisions by Jocelyn Adler. The guys are an established couple, one a student now but former dancer and the other a martial art instructor, and the woman is a student too. She is Black, the other student Native American and the martial art guy is a giant blond.
I second or third the Billionaire Bad Boys Club and Nothing Between Us. There are several alien thruple series, one by Kate Pearce and one by Grace Goodwin…
Diesel, Maddox and Molly introduced in Kristen Ashley’s Honey Series as secondary characters, and got a resolution story in Loose Ends.
I suggest Tymber Dalton, esp. her Deep Space Mission Corps series. I love the interaction between the 3 men & 1 woman in the series.
Tiffany Reisz series is a mindf*uck not sure it’s a good starting place…? But Lynda Aichers Wicked Play series book 3 – Bonds of Desire has all the components you request IMO. Enjoy and thanks for prompting a buying spree for me as well!!